7 Reasons to Bring Your Family to the Circus

One may wonder, with the circus accused of animal abuse, high ticket prices, and even Ringling Brothers Circus going the way of the Dodo bird (a bird they used to display in the 1800s), are circuses worth it? Cirque du Soleil has amazing costumes and incredible acrobatics, Circus Circus has its own Las Vegas resort, and the new movie “The Greatest Showman” premiered to $8.8million it’s opening weekend. Well, we splurged on some family tickets this year, took the motley crew, and here are 7 reasons you NEED to bring your family to the Circus.

Nick Wallenda

The Wallenda’s Performing the 6-man Pyramid

That’s right, of the Wallenda brothers. He’s a 7th generation member of the famous Wallenda brothers, he holds 10 World Records, and in 2012 he became the first person to ever walk directly over the precipice of Niagara Falls and in 2013 he became the first person to walk on a wire across the Grand Canyon. And let us not forget the amazing Wallenda Seven Person Pyramid! He and his team crossed that tiny wire with grace and ease, both as individuals and as a group, but I have to admit that it was this act that had my jaw falling to the floor.

2. Anastasini Brothers

The Anastasini Brothers doing some amazing balancing

Giuliano and Fabio have been practicing balancing (or icarian) since 2004 and wow! Giuliano has thighs of steel to hold his brother up, and up, and up, and around! I was completely in awe (and a bit dizzy) watching Fabio go around and around, all while landing perfectly and balancing perfectly on his brother’s feet. One wrong move and it was going to be a very tough night for him.

Not only were these brothers graceful, powerful, and clearly in sync with each other, but they were quite adorable and flirty…not a bad little extra, right?

3. Elayne Kramer

Elayne Kramer shooting a balloon with an arrow, with her FEET

Just wow! She’s a 6th generation circus performer from Argentina and she has mad balancing skills. She has performed in over 20 countries, on The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Kelly Ripa Show, and even placed second in an international circus festival competition. Our favorite moment was when she shoots an arrow with her feet at a small balloon 15-20 feet away, while holding onto a tiny pedestal, and got a BULLSEYE! The balloon went pop and my daughter was blown away (I can tell we’ll have to take out the tumbling mat this week).

4. Roller Skating ACT????

That’s right, Dandino and Luciana are unbelievable in this mashup of roller-skating-acrobatic-dancing-daredevil-stunt routine. My daughter (3 years old) did hide her eyes a little, but at the end she was just about shrieking with joy. Just watching Dandino racing around that tiny platform, using only his neck and a leather strap to hold onto Luciana, who was spinning frantically from her own neck…the tension in the tent was palpable. They were just amazing.

5. Horses

Some beautiful and well trained rescue horses

Beautiful to watch, beautifully trainined, and ponies to boot!Horsies! Okay, that was one of my daughter’s favorites, and we have now agreed to get her horse-back riding lessons. I was a little worried after hearing for years about animal neglect in circus’, but these horses were obviously well loved and cared for, healthy looking, and amazingly talented. She not only showed off her talented horses, all of whom were rescues, by the way, but also some adorably cute dogs, also rescues. Who says you can’t run away and join the circus? You can even purchase tickets to ride the smaller ponies! For about $10 a piece your child ride on one of the show ponies for a few minutes.

Funny AND knowledgable clowns!

6. Clowns!

I am NOT a fan of clowns. Don’t like them. Their white faces and drawn on features, their ridiculous miming…creep! THESE CLOWNS WERE GREAT! They talked, they chatted with the audience, there was makeup but just enough to exaggerate facial features. They got the audience involved in many skits and had everyone laughing, throughout the show.

7. The Concession Area

What’s a circus without carnival food? Thank goodness I went off my diet for the day because they had some of my favorites: slushies, popcorn, cotton candy, and even a Cinnabon kiosk! Sure, the food and drinks were expensive, but so worth the entire experience. They also had an amazing face painter who was quick, talented, and so sweet to the kids. My daughter chose to be a scary tiger, as you can see.

It turned out that none other than the performers were assisting in all the kiosks as well! Jenny (the horse-lady) was manning the pony rides, one of the Wallendas helped us check out at the face-painting booth, and one of the clowns helped us find our seat. After the show we discovered that EVERY performer was outside waiting for us, for pictures, a handshake or hug, and to answer questions. I got my picture taken with the clowns…for posterity.

So why should you bring your family to the circus? Because it’s a magical place that will fill your children’s heads with dreams and fantasy, it’s family fun that will have you laughing the rest of the day, and there’s cotton candy…let’s not forget that.